Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the prevalence of comorbidities, resource use, direct medical costs, and the costs associated with missed work for adults diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Study design: From a large claims database that captures inpatient, outpatient and prescription drug services, individuals diagnosed with ADHD between the years 1999 and 2001 were retrospectively identified. The ADHD cohort (n = 2252) were matched with a non-ADHD cohort (n = 2252) on a 1: 1 ratio, based upon age, gender, metropolitan statistical area and type of insurance coverage. The ADHD cohort was compared with the non-ADHD cohort for differences in comorbidities and direct medical costs (inpatient, outpatient and prescription drug costs) using year 2001 prices.

Using data from six Fortune 200 employers, time missed from work and costs associated with absenteeism, short-term disability and worker’s compensation was examined for a subsample (n = 354) of the employees diagnosed with ADHD.

Chi-square and t-statistics were used to compare the ADHD population with the control group with regards to comorbidites and service use. Analysis of covariance and multivariate regressions were used to examine differences in days missed from work, direct medical costs and costs associated with missed work.

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that adults diagnosed with ADHD have a higher prevalence of comorbidities, higher medical costs and more absences than matched individuals without ADHD. These findings suggest that there may be an opportunity for the effective treatment of ADHD to lead to cost-offsets.

Notes

Acknowledgements

Funding for this project was provided by Eli Lilly and Company. Kristina Secnik and Andrine Swensen are salaried employees of Lilly Research Laboratories. Maureen J. Lage is a consultant to Eli Lilly and Company. The authors have no other potential conflicts of interest. All three authors contributed equally to study design and construction of the manuscript. MJL had primary responsibility for the analyses. We would like to thank the editor and five anonymous referees for helpful comments.